In a lane off the bustling 90 Feet Road in Dharavi, there is a tiny studio dedicated to all types of screen printing. Laxmi and Mani are an unlikely duo that expertly handle the screenprinting needs of customers across the city. They talk to us about a lifetime spent in the industry. 

Abdul is a sofa maker who has spent decades cultivating a network of friends and work associates in Dharavi. Open to new challenges and willing to experiment with his craft, his perspective suggests an acknowledgement of his current social standing and external constraints, balanced by a focus on moving forward and maintaining a pragmatic approach to his future.

Kamlesh is an itinerant welder who has lived and worked in different parts of the country. Kamlesh represents the skilled workforce that quietly underpins the city’s built environment. This is his story...

As the title suggests, Life Got Better with Coconuts for Kausar Shaikh. He came to Mumbai 15 years ago, leaving his family farm in Jharkhand, because he was not keen on agriculture and was seeking a different path. Seeing other migrants from his region successfully start small businesses gave him the confidence to leave years of unstable work in Mumbai behind and become a thriving coconut vendor in Dharavi.

Originally from Ratnagiri, Ravi built his career over three decades in Dharavi’s vibrant informal economy. Despite relocating to Diva, he remains deeply rooted in the locality, valuing its close-knit support system. The piece highlights his concerns over redevelopment, the resilience of Dharavi during the pandemic, and the socio-economic networks that sustain livelihoods like his. Ravi’s journey reflects the intersection of creativity, survival, and community in urban informal settlements. 

Samsuddin, a printmaker in Dharavi, Mumbai, whose small but efficient studio reflects the spirit of local enterprise. From printing school uniforms for suburban Mumbai to receiving an order from his hometown in Uttar Pradesh, Samsuddin's journey weaves personal strength with community-rooted entrepreneurship. He exemplifies how creativity and determination shape life in Dharavi. Amidst talks of redevelopment, Samsuddin advocates for progress without displacement, preserving the soul of the community he calls home.

Shankar Jadhav, a 61-year-old cobbler, defies caste boundaries beneath Samvidhan Square. With calloused hands, a love for books, and quiet resilience, he mends shoes, nurtures a square, and challenges the invisibility imposed by society: one stitch, one flower, one act of dignity at a time.

This story revolves around Zari Karigars seamlessly shuffling beads into pins and passing white crystals through yellow fabric, headed by Vivek Ji, the preserver of this timeless art form.

Two brothers behind a pharmacy counter tell us a story of resilience and adaptability, ranging from spreading wares in Bandra to spinning rakhis on an umbrella in the rains.